Abstract

Microplastic pollution is widespread across the globe, pervading land, water, and air. These environments are commonly considered
independently, however, in reality these are closely linked. This review gives an overview of the background knowledge surrounding
sources, fate and transport of microplastics within the environment. We introduce a new “Plastic Cycle” concept in order to
better understand the processes influencing flux and retention of microplastics between and across the wide range of environmental
matrices. As microplastics are a pervasive, persistent and potentially harmful pollutant, an understanding of these processes
will allow for assessment of exposure to better determine the likely long‐term ecological and human health implications of
microplastic pollution. WIREs Water 2018, 5:e1268. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1268

Lavers,, J. L., & Bond,, A. L. (2017). Exceptional and rapid accumulation of anthropogenic debris on one of the world`s most remote and pristine islands. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 114(23), 6052–6055.

Lechner,, A., & Ramler,, D. (2015). The discharge of certain amounts of industrial microplastic from a production plant into the river Danube is permitted by the Austrian legislation. Environmental Pollution, 200, 159–160.